The methyl-protected compound of Formula VII ##STR22## is most easily obtained by reacting 3-methoxyphenol and ??-bromo-4-methoxyacetophenone in the presence of a strong base at a relatively low temperature, to form ??-(3-methoxyphenoxy)-4-methoxyacetophenone, which is then ring closed with an agent such as polyphosphoric acid at a high temperature to obtain the intermediate compound of Formula VI